Delhi’s skies may soon clear up, thanks to Chief Minister Rekha Gupta’s sweeping anti-pollution drive. Dubbed ‘Maha Sankalp,’ the strategy unleashes 3,330 electric buses onto the roads, targeting the root of the capital’s annual smog apocalypse.
Winter after winter, toxic haze blankets Delhi, sending hospital admissions soaring and schools into lockdown mode. Diesel buses, notorious for belching black smoke, account for nearly 40% of transport emissions. This mega fleet replacement promises to electrify commutes and decarbonize airways in one stroke.
Gupta unveiled the blueprint amid rising public outrage over AQI levels crossing 400. ‘We’re not just adding buses; we’re adding life to Delhi’s lungs,’ she asserted. The rollout prioritizes arterial routes like Ring Road and Outer Ring Road, where congestion breeds pollution hotspots.
Backed by a Rs 5,000 crore investment, the initiative includes driver training programs, smart ticketing, and solar-powered depots. By 2027, the entire fleet aims for zero-emission status, aligning with India’s net-zero ambitions.
Critics point to past delays in similar projects, urging faster execution. Yet, with international climate summits looming, Delhi’s electric revolution positions the city as a green urban pioneer. For millions of daily riders, the hum of electric motors could herald fresher mornings ahead.